2018 Kia Stinger problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Engine (14) · Service Brakes (7) · Fuel/Propulsion System (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Kia Stinger model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
31 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (4)
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline:turbo/Supercharger:hoses/Plumbing 2024-03-01 · campaign 24V169000 · 36,248 vehicles
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2019-2020 K900, and 2018-2023 Stinger vehicles equipped with a 3.3-liter turbo gasoline direct injection engine. The left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly may deteriorate and leak oil.
Risk: An oil leak in the presence of hot engine components can increase the risk of an engine compartment fire while driving.
Fix: Dealers will replace the left turbocharger oil feed pipe and hose assembly, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed April 26, 2024. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC300.
Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump 2023-09-13 · campaign 23V634000 · 18,224 vehicles
Defect: Kia America, Inc. (Kia) is recalling certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. The fuel control valve plunger may stick inside the high pressure fuel pump, causing over-pressurization and loss of drive power.
Risk: A loss of drive power can increase the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will update the engine control unit software, inspect, and replace the fuel pump as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed December 18, 2023. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC281.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip:control Unit/Module 2020-08-27 · campaign 20V518000 · 28,200 vehicles ⚠ PARK OUTSIDE
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) recalled certain 2019 Stinger vehicles equipped with 3.3L T-GDI engines on August 27, 2020. On December 30, 2020, Kia expanded the recall population and added certain 2018-2021 Stinger vehicles. While driving, an engine compartment fire may occur in the area where the Anti-lock Brake Hydraulic Electronic Control Unit (HECU) is located.
Risk: An engine compartment fire can increase the risk of injury or crash.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will install a new fuse kit in the electrical junction box, free of charge. Owners are advised to park outside and away from structures as a precaution until the recall repair is complete. The recall began November 30, 2020. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall is SC196.
Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood 2018-10-25 · campaign 18V754000 · 16,011 vehicles
Defect: Kia Motors America (Kia) is recalling certain 2018 Kia Stinger vehicles. The front wiring harness located in the engine and passenger compartment may get damaged from contacting a burr on the left fender body panel.
Risk: The damaged wiring harness may short circuit, increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Kia will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the wiring harness for damage. If no damage is found, a cover will be installed. If damage is found, the wiring harness will be replaced and a cover will be installed, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2018. Owners may contact Kia customer service at 1-800-333-4542. Kia's number for this recall SC170.
Service bulletins (100)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2026-04-14 · TSB_ELE417 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: infotainment software update procedure - this bulletin provides information on the process for downloading infotainment software updates and preparing usb for installation on applicable kia vehicles. the software downloads and usb preparation process is similar across all
Back Over Prevention: Warnings 2025-12-09 · PS797 · Other
pitstop: technical operations: external damage to ultrasonic sensor: this pitstop provides information related to parking distance warning (pdw) alerts and repairs involving ultrasonic sensors. the pdw system alerts the driver while parking, by calculating distance based on the difference in signal
Fuel/Propulsion System 2025-10-02 · SC281Y_TSB · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: subsequent repair action: high-pressure fuel pump replacement instructions for dtc p0088 (sc281y) - this bulletin provides information related to the technical service bulletin previously published under sc281 titled “high-pressure fuel pump inspection /replacement and ec
Power Train 2025-04-17 · TSB_TRA046_R5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: transmission fluid application guide - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information relating to the correct transmission fluid ty
Engine 2025-04-03 · TSB_ENG222_R8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repair
Engine 2025-02-28 · TSB_ENG222_R7 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
technical service bulletin: excessive oil consumption nu/gamma/theta/kappa engines - this bulletin has been revised to include additional information. new/revised sections of this bulletin are indicated by a black bar in the margin area. this bulletin provides information on diagnosing and/or repair
Showing the 6 most recent of 100 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Power Train“ nhtsa vehicle safety complaint statement vehicle: 2018 kia stinger premium 2.0l turbo vin: [xxx] component: fuel system, gasoline: delivery: high pressure pump [1, 5] recall campaign reference: 2023 kia high-pressure fuel pump safety recall [5] 1. failure of initial recall remedy & active safety hazard this vehicle was subject to the 2023 kia …”
2026-10-21 · Engine And Engine Cooling · 105,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 kia stinger. the contact stated that while driving, the steering wheel failed to turn in the intended direction and the steering wheel seized. in addition, the contact became aware of white smoke coming from underneath the hood before the engine seized. the vehicle was towed to the independent mechanic. the contact was advis…”
2026-09-29 · Engine“(2018 kia stinger gt2 awd) vin:[xxx] the above-referenced vehicle suffered a catastrophic engine failure directly resulting from a ruptured turbocharger oil feed line—the exact defect covered by federal safety recall sc300. the vehicle was rendered inoperable and was transported to kia store elizabethtown. service personnel at kia store elizabetht…”
2026-09-23 · Seat Belts“seat belt clicks in, registers as being put on by dash sensor but comes unbuckled when force pushes it forward. latch is not fully catching on drivers seat.…”
2026-08-07 · Engine“on xxx my son picked up his 2018 kia stinger (vin [xxx]) from ken garff honda riverdale, ut after a routine oil change, filter change, and tire rotation (ro# 5026743). about 3 hours later, while driving on [xxx] near [xxx], he noticed a burning smell, then saw smoke coming from the front of the vehicle, followed by flames from the engine compartmen…”
2026-08-01 · Steering“while driving the steering wheel jerks back and forth as if it's trying to help assist in keeping in lanes even with the lane assistant off and it doesn't matter what speed it jerks the whole time. the steering wheel will also move on its own back and forth while in a parked position too. it's very dangerous because it's trying to jerk you all aro…”
2026-07-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my vehicle is exhibiting a loss of drive power, particularly uphill, with a diagnostic code of p0088 (fuel rail/system pressure too high). this is the same defect addressed by recall campaign 23v634000 (kia sc281), covering the high-pressure fuel pump / fuel control valve plunger on 2018-2021 stinger vehicles. i had the sc281 recall repair complete…”
2026-03-12 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the oil pressure light is coming on . even after doing oil change at dealership it’s not going away. confirmed that the issue was with the oil pressure switch at dealership, which is a common problem for 3.3l v6 engines . similar issue was observed in other older models with similar engine and the warranty was extended to cover this issue (wty026).…”
2026-02-10 · Unknown Or Other“oil light comes on and out i do have warranty for the car.…”
2026-02-03 · Fuel/Propulsion System“my vehicle is experiencing active symptoms consistent with the defects described in recalls sc279 and sc281. these include: - sputtering and hesitation under acceleration - severe drop in fuel mileage - check engine light - fuel‑rail pressure fault code - black soot at the tailpipe - loss of power the vehicle is unsafe to drive and may stall. my de…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.